Instructors

Cory Cuomo: is a certified National Level Coach with USA Judo and competitor with USA Judo and the United States Judo Federation. He began practicing Judo in 1977 at the age of seven under the instruction of Sensei Dick Smith of Central Jersey Judo in Manville, NJ. His studies continued at the Cranford Judo Karate Center under the guidance of former United States Olympic and Pan American Games Head Coach Sensei Yoshisada Yonezuka. In 1994 he moved to Princeton, NJ where he joined with former US Junior Olympic Champ Tim Vaughn (Sandan) in developing the Princeton Judo Club. Cory holds the rank of Nidan as a member of the United States Judo Federation, USA Judo and Kodokan in Japan, has medaled in 9 New Jersey State Judo Championship tournaments and 4 East Coast Judo Championships, is certified as a national level coach by USA Judo, and is CPR and First Aid certified by the American Heart Association. Cory holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University and has a successful Psychotherapy practice treating athletes, law enforcement officers, children and their families.

Edwin Calvache is a Sandan black belt world class athlete and Judo instructor. He has over 25 years of Judo experience, was the National Champion of his native country, Colombia, for ten years, and competed in many international tournaments, taking medals at different levels. Edwin competed and qualified to the World Championship of Oporto, Portugal in 1996, where he advanced to the third round. Besides being a professional competitor, Edwin has been a Judo coach for 15 years, five of which have been in the USA, as a volunteer coach for the YWCA in Princeton, NJ. He currently holds a Coach Certification with USA Judo. Edwin is also a Chemical Engineer with a Master degree in Environmental Engineering.

Michael Tusay: Is a member of the United States Judo National Team. Michael began practicing Judo at TCNJ under Dr. Fred Oshel in 1998. He quickly took to the sport and joined Princeton Judo the following year. In 2001 he received a scholarship to study abroad in Japan where he earned his black belt at the Kodokan branch in Osaka, Japan. He returned to TCNJ where he assisted Dr. Oshel in teaching Judo until 2004. During this time he also practiced with Sensei Jon Bassano in Clinton, NJ Sensei Yoshisada Yonesuka in Cranford, NJ and Sensei Lou Moyerman in Philadelphia, PA. Mike medaled in the Tech Judo invitational several times, the Cranford Judo invitational, the Brooklyn Polytech open and Pedro’s Challenge. During 2012 Michael competed in the Masters 30-35 year old, 73kg division, Mike placed 1st at The Liberty Bell Open and The President’s cup. He has placed second at Pedro’s Challenge and the US Nationals. During 2013, Mike placed 1st at 81 kg at the US Open. He has also placed fifth at the President’s Cup Senior division putting him 13th in the country overall for seniors and 1st in Masters. The Senseis and Judoka at Princeton Judo have been an integral part of his Judo training.

Joshua Suh is a Yodan degree black belt Judo instructor. He has over 30 years of Judo and Martial arts experience. He studied Judo as a major in Yongin University (Judo College) in S. Korea. He was part of the National Judo Demonstration team and also participated in training sessions with the Korean Judo Olympic Team. He demonstrated in the 1985 judo world championship, and the 1986 Asian games and many other similar events. Joshua has been a Judo coach for 15 years, 8 years of which have been in the USA, as a volunteer coach for the YWCA in Princeton, and Tech Judo in North Bergen, NJ. Also Joshua has a 4th degree black belt in Kendo, and a 1st degree black belt in Taekwondo. He has been certified by the American Red Cross to perform CPR and First Aid. He is also a certified lifeguard. He received education in athletic training and sports medicine while in Korea.

Lou Arias: Louis is a Shodan Black Belt.

Patrick Austermann: Patrick is a Shodan Black Belt.

Bradley Joyce is a Shodan Black Belt and a member of the British Judo Association. Bradley Joined the Princeton Judo Club in August of 2013 after spending years as a member of the Oxford Judo team since 2008 and serving in several administration roles during the years 2009/2010 when he was the clubs Web and IT Officer, 2010/2011 the Treasurer and 2011/2012 where Bradley served as the clubs President. As a competitor Bradley was on the Oxford University Blues team (1st team) 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/2012 (Varsity winners 2010, 2011 and 2012) awarded University Half Blue 2009, 2010, 2011 and Full Blue 2012. On the competition circuit Bradley competed and medaled in the following: Hampshire Open 2010 – Gold; London Universities 2010 – Gold; London Universities 2011 – Bronze; British University and College Championships Individual 2011- Bronze; British University and College Championships Teams 2011- Bronze; British Judo Council National Championships 2010 – Silver; British Judo Council National Championships 2011 – Gold and for his first competition in the United States Bradley competed in the Hudson Cup 2013 and earned a Bronze.

Jim Carty started playing Judo as a youth in Staten Island NY at the local YMCA and went on to Wrestling in High School and College where he wrestled for NYU. He resumed his Judo studies, in 1988, in New York City at the Oishi Judo Club under Sensei Shiro Oishi, who is a 7th Degree Black Belt. His work in IT Consulting required a lot of travel which afforded him the opportunity to study with several excellent Sensei’s in Washington DC, Pennsylvania and Canada. Jim holds the rank of Shodan under the United States Judo Federation.

Mike Myong-hwan Lee: began his journey of Judo at the age of 13 in Seoul, Korea. He received Shodan – first black belt by the time he graduated high school in 1973. He came to Iowa as a college student in 1982, joined Des Moines Judo club, and ran the Judo program at the YMCA for several seasons. He has been a member of Princeton Judo Club ever since 1995.

Assistant Instructors:

Michelle Arias: Michelle is a Ikkyu Brown Belt and current United States Junior National Champion. Michelle is assists on Saturday mornings as she is now a college student adn dedicates a good deal of time towards her studies.

Ron Connor: Ron is a Ikkyu Brown belt who has been a steady member of the Princeton Judo Club since 2007.

Tommy Zovich began practicing Judo in 1987 under Sensei John McGinley at St. Francis Prep High School of Fresh Meadows, NY and continued practicing and competing there until 1990. During this time period, he also practiced Judo at Waseda Judo Club under Sensei Yamashita. He obtained his Ikkyu rank in 1989. From 1992 – 1993, Tommy continued to practice Judo at Newton Judo Club in Newton, MA under Sensei Ron Viavettene while attending Boston College. From 1995 – 1996, Tommy continued to practice and compete in Judo at Columbia University under Sensei Frank Colonnese and Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura while attending graduate school in Physical Chemistry. Tommy has been on hiatus from Judo until 2010 when he began practicing again at Princeton Judo.